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Sharpening Manual

Sharpening Manual

Product catalog summary

Introduction
This document outlines a traditional method for sharpening dental scalers and curettes, using visual clock positions for stone alignment. It can be used independently or with the instructional DVD "It’s About Time: A Classic Approach to Sharpening Scalers and Curettes."

Learning Objectives

Recognize the advantages of sharp instruments.
Distinguish between dull and sharp cutting edges.
Identify characteristics of Arkansas, India, and Ceramic stones.
Relate traditional angulation degrees to clock positions.
Master essential grasp techniques for instruments and stones.
Learn sharpening procedures for various scalers and curettes.
Determine when a cutting edge is truly sharp.

Importance of Sharpening
Sharp instruments improve efficiency, reduce fatigue, enhance deposit removal, and minimize patient discomfort. Regular light sharpening is recommended to maintain blade integrity.

Determining Sharpness
Sharpness can be tested using a hard acrylic stick; a sharp edge will "grab" the stick. Visual inspection under light can also indicate sharpness, as dull edges reflect light.

Sharpening Stones

Arkansas Stone: Natural, fine grit, oil-lubricated.
Ceramic Stone: Synthetic, available in various grits, usable dry or with water.
India Stone: Synthetic, requires oil or water lubrication, followed by fine grit finishing.

Sharpening Procedure

Position the instrument vertically with the blade at the bottom.
Stabilize the instrument and brace the shank with your thumb.
Use the clock method to align the stone and instrument.
Move the stone in continuous up-and-down motions along the blade.
For curettes, round the toe by directing it toward specific clock positions.

Stone Care
Clean stones with a cloth or gauze after use and sterilize to remove metal particles and lubricant.

Conclusion
Proper sharpening techniques and regular maintenance of dental instruments are crucial for effective dental procedures and patient comfort.

Instrument Positioning
Hold the instrument vertically in your non-dominant hand with the blade at the bottom and the tip pointed toward you. Brace the top shank with your thumb and position your elbow directly in front of you on the table. The terminal shank should be at 12 o'clock.

Stone Positioning
Place the lubricated side of the stone against the lateral surface of the blade. Initially direct the top of the stone upward toward 12 o'clock, then tilt it slightly away from the instrument.

Stone Movement
Use a fluid up-and-down motion starting from the heel third of the blade, moving to the middle third, and finally to the tip third. Wipe any sludge or metal filings from the blade and stone using gauze.

Sharpening the Opposite Cutting Edge
Rotate the instrument so the tip is pointed away from you. Maintain a secure palm grasp and repeat the grinding process.

Testing the Cutting Edge
Use a test stick to check sharpness. A sharp edge will bite into the test stick and produce a metallic sound when released.

Sharpening the Sickle Scaler
For both right and left-handers, hold the terminal shank at 12 o'clock. Use a cylindrical stone for curved blades and a flat stone for straight blades to remove wire edges.

Sharpening the Universal Curette
The blade has two parallel cutting edges meeting at a rounded toe. Maintain the 90° angle between the facial surface and terminal shank during sharpening.

Sharpening the Gracey Curette
The Gracey Curette has a tilted facial surface at a 70° angle, creating one functional edge. Focus on maintaining the original blade design during sharpening.

Rounding the Toe
Rotate the instrument so the toe is directed at 3 o'clock. Use a consistent motion with the stone to maintain the rounded shape.

Overview
This document provides detailed instructions on sharpening periodontal scalers and curettes, focusing on techniques for both right and left-handed users. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining correct angulation and provides a glossary of terms related to the sharpening process.

Specifications
The document outlines the correct blade positioning for both odd and even-numbered Gracey curettes, specifying the orientation of the blade toe and the positioning of the instrument and stone. It highlights the importance of maintaining a consistent sharpening motion along the entire blade length to avoid common errors.

Procedures
The sharpening process is broken down into several steps: instrument positioning, stone positioning, stone movement, rounding the toe, and finishing. Each step is described in detail, with specific instructions for right and left-handed users. The document also includes instructions for testing the sharpness of the blade using a test stick.

Standards and Recommendations
The document stresses the importance of maintaining a correct internal angle of approximately 70° during sharpening to ensure the blade is neither too bulky nor too weak. It provides a chart of angles and clock face positions to aid in achieving the correct angulation.

Key Data and Charts
The document includes a chart of angles and a description of the correct test stick position for evaluating blade sharpness. It also provides a glossary of terms to clarify technical language used throughout the instructions.

Author and References
The method described is based on a teaching strategy developed by Sherry Burns, R.D.H., M.S., and includes suggested readings for further study on the topic.

Catalog excerpts

Keep this one page instructional shortcut near your sharpening area in your office for quick reference! i • • • • • • • L • • • • • •V •• •• • • V* • • • • SICKLE SCALERS & UNIVERSAL CURETTES 1. Position instrument vertically with blade to be sharpened at the bottom. 2. Stabilize entire length of instrument with a firm grasp. 3. Brace upper terminal shank with your thumb to counter-balance the pressure of grinding the blade at the bottom. 4. Point tip or toe of blade toward you to sharpen right cutting edge. Point tip or toe away from you to sharpen opposite cutting edge. 5. Keep terminal shank at 12:00. 6. Place surface of stone against right lateral surface of the blade. 7. Tilt top of stone to 3 minutes after 12:00. 8. Using continuous up and down motions, move along the blade starting at the heel third, middle third and finally the toe third. 9. To round the toe of curettes, direct the toe toward 3:00. 10. Place the stone under the blade at 2:00. 11. Use continuous and overlapping up-and-down motions to "round" the toe. GRACEY CURETTES For more information about Hu-Friedy's Total Solutions visit HU-FRIEDY.COM ULTRASONIC SCALING IT'S ABOUT TIME A CLASSIC APPROACH TO SHARPENING SCALERS & CURETTES 1. Position instrument vertically with blade to be sharpened at the bottom. 2. Check the blade identification number: > Aim the toe of all ODD-numbered Graceys toward you. > Direct the toe of all EVEN-numbered Graceys away from you. 3. Stabilize entire length of instrument with a firm grasp. 4. Counterbalance the top shank with your thumb. 5. Tilt terminal shank to 3 minutes before 12:00. 6. Hold stone against right lateral surface and tilt to 3 minutes past 12:00. 7. Using continuous up and down motions, move along the blade starting at the heel third, middle third and finally the toe third. 8. To round the toe of curettes, direct the toe toward 3:00. 9. Place the stone under the blade at 2:00. 10. Use continuous and overlapping up-and-down motions to "round" the toe. Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC: 3232 N. Rockwell St. | Chicago, IL 60618 | USA Telephone: 1-800-Hu-Friedy (1-773-975-6100) | Website: Hu-Friedy.com How the best perform Visit us online at Hu-Friedy.com ©2017 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC. All rights reserved. How the best perform ©2017 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC. All rights reserved.

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Keep this one page instructional shortcut near your sharpening area in your office for quick reference! L A TIMELY APPROACH TO INSTRUMENT SHARPENING A Classic Appoach to Sharpening Scalers & Curettes This manual describes a classic approach to sharpening periodontal scalers and curettes. Traditional sharpening techniques have relied upon “degrees of angulation” to achieve the correct position of the stone in relation to the blade while sharpening. This alternative method utilizes the simple visual imagery of the hands of the clock to establish the correct positions while holding the instrument...

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STONE GRITS & LUBRICATION There are many sharpening stone grits available. Be sure to use the proper grit for sharpening dental instruments. • v*! Selecting the appropriate stone will make the sharpening procedure more efficient. TYPE Arkansas Stone The Arkansas Stone is a natural stone with a fine grit. Oil lubrication is recommended when using this stone. The oil serves as a vehicle to float the metal particles as they are ground away from the blade and prevents those shavings from becoming embedded in the stone. The buildup of these shavings in the oil is referred to as "sludge.” Ceramic Stone...

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YOUR WORK AREA BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SHARPENING Before beginning the sharpening process, assemble the required materials. In addition to the instruments to be sharpened and the proper sharpening stones, you will need the following items: Safety Glasses: required when sharpening, should cover the eyes completely and have side panels for maximum protection Magnifying Glass or Loupes: to view the blade Gloves: should fit comfortably Plastic or Acrylic Test Stick: to test the cutting edge for sharpness Cotton Tipped Applicators: to spread oil or water lubrication Clock Diagram: to determine the proper...

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TERMINAL SHANK SHARPENING OF THE SICKLE SCALER CUTTING EDGE INSTRUMENT LABELING When the design name and number are stamped along the length of the handle, each working end is identified by the number closest to it. If the design name and number are stamped around the instrument handle, the first number identifies the working end at the top and the second number identifies the working end at the bottom of the handle. BACK LATERAL SURFACE The sickle scaler has two cutting edges which are formed by the junction of the facial surface with the two lateral surfaces converging to a pointed TERMINAL...

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SHARPENING THE SICKLE SCALER SHARPENING THE SICKLE SCALER INSTRUMENT POSITION: Hold the instrument vertically in your nondominant hand. The blade to be sharpened will be at the bottom with the tip pointed toward you. Brace the top shank with your thumb and place your elbow directly in front of you on the table. Position the terminal shank of the blade being sharpened at 12 o’clock. INSTRUMENT POSITION: Hold the instrument vertically in your nondominant hand. The blade to be sharpened will be at the bottom with the tip pointed toward you. Brace the top shank with your thumb and place your elbow...

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TERMINAL SHANK TESTING THE SHARPNESS OF THE SICKLE SCALER BLADE CUTTING EDGE LATERAL SURFACE TEST STICK POSITION To test the cutting edge, grasp the bottom third of the test stick in your non-dominant hand between your thumb and index finger. Hold the test stick upright at 12 o’clock. TERMINAL The Universal Curette blade has two parallel cutting edges that meet at a rounded SHANK toe. The cutting edges of the curette are formed at the junction of the lateral CUTTING EDGE surfaces with the facial surface. The facial surface of the blade is positioned TERMINAL to SHANK FACE form a 90° angle with...

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Sharpening Manual

Sharpening Manual

Catalog excerpts

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